Using Voicemail

Hi, you've reached Dr. Miller's office. We're unable to take your call right now. Please leave a message with your name, number, and the reason for your call, and we'll get back to you within one business day.

Please record your personal greeting after the tone. When finished, press pound.

Your greeting has been saved. To listen to your greeting, press 1. To re-record, press 2. To keep this greeting, press pound.

Thank you for calling the Social Security Administration. All of our representatives are currently assisting other callers. Please leave your name, Social Security number, callback number, and a brief description of your inquiry. A representative will return your call within 48 hours.

You've reached the office of Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Family Medicine. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911. Otherwise, please leave a detailed message and we'll get back to you within one business day.

Hi, you've reached Human Resources at TechCorp. We're away from our desks right now but your call is important to us. Please leave your name, employee ID or application reference number, and a brief message. We'll return your call as soon as possible. For urgent payroll issues, press 1 to be transferred to our payroll hotline.

Great job! Here's a quick checklist for any professional voicemail: 1) State your full name and spell it if it's unusual. 2) Give your callback number — slowly, twice if possible. 3) State the reason for your call with any reference numbers. 4) Mention when you're available for a callback, including time zone. 5) End with 'thank you' — never 'bye.'

Always leave your number — every single time. Even if they have it. It saves them from looking it up and shows you're professional. As for following up, absolutely. If they said 48 hours and it's been 48 hours, call again. You're not being pushy — you're being responsible. Just say, 'Hi, I'm following up on a voicemail I left on Tuesday regarding...' That's the magic phrase.